Ben Lippen’s Taylor Wilson Last year was a great time to be a Ben Lippen Falcon football fan. The 2009 squad set a school record for wins at nine while finishing the year at 9–3, and three players from the Ben Lippen football squad signed football scholarships. But despite those accomplishments, there was one disappointment that head coach Reggie Shaw draws from last year’s team—a loss in the first round of the playoffs.

With 13 combined starters returning, 2010 has some reason for optimism. Branson Despres, Jimmy Carlen, Jon Nahlen, and Sammy Joe White all return to provide a veteran offensive line. Taylor Wilson returns to anchor the receiving corp and defensive backfield. Athlete Ross Fleming gives the offense a legitimate weapon, while also using his services as the team’s punter. Tuck Benefield also gives the offense another weapon to choose from. Running back Corey Jackson is available to take some pressure off the passing game, and he has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

The offense’s key concern will be at the quarterback position after losing 2009 starter Joey Carter to graduation.

The defense will lean on an experienced defensive line and a good linebacking corp to help stop opponents. Defensive end/linebacker Zach Perry returns after accounting for 13 sacks in 2009. Newcomer Uriah Stillinger is someone who Shaw hopes can contribute as a linebacker.

Despite the lack of experience in a few areas, expectations are high as they always are. Shaw wants his team to focus on doing the little things well in a football game, while also expecting his players to live by one creed: no excuses, no explanations, no regrets.